Vista Tip: Default Programs

One of Vista's most attractive new features makes uncovering important settings easier than it was in XP.

The Default Programs item on the new Start menu makes uncovering important settings far easier than it was in XP. The useful dialog includes choices for selecting the apps you want to use as defaults (for certain file types or for all appropriate file types), and the converse: associating file types with applications. It also makes changing AutoPlay options easy. In previous builds of Windows, if you banished the AutoPlay options window you had a heckuva job finding it again. Finally, the menu includes the formerly elusive Set program access and computer defaults options, which can help control such unwelcome behaviors as Windows Messenger starting up every time you so much as look at your monitor.